The first memory I have of astronauts as a kid was that of i was less than five years old, maybe even younger than five when Rakesh Sharma was in the Russian space module. Space had started to occupy something that was fascinating. Something that was mysterious.

The next memory of space being facinating was talking nad disucussing planets with my dad. It was quite interesting or rather it was quite a weird thing to imagine that the world we live in was a planet andthere are bigger, more massive planets that are around.The one day in the late 80s mom and dad were watching a movie and i caught quite a bit of it. It featured Ed Harris and the movie was called The Right Stuff.

It was about the Mercury Seven project of Nasa which was Americas first manned space flight.I am sure most of you have looked up at the sky and wondered what it would be to burst out of the gravitational pull of the earth and reach the skies.In an few days, 22nd of Oct 2008 some scientists will send a small Lunar Module called Chandrayaan 1.The no 1 indicates its first of the series for many to come.

Well they work in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)Now I know an Indian astronaut being sent to space is still a long way away. But this mission means we are on our way.Its time we sit up and take notice of our acheivements in space technology. Wait, no.. no sitting up. We need shut up about everything, stand up and appluad these geniuses who on shoe string budgets have acheived so much. I remember a small black and white photograph of a rocket nose cone was being transported by bullock cart in Sriharikota. It was a sight you can only see in India in the history of mankind. I am sure they dont use bullock carts anymore to transport parts to the launch pads but it bring a smile on your face when you come to think of it that the rocket nose cone did make it out of earth and launched a satellite for us.Once our moon mission is done, I am sure political parties will take credit directly and indirectly. OH how I wish we could send them on a one way trip to the moon…..

Anyways Cheers to the men and women who work tireless, sometimes risking their lives, livihood to live a dream. Dream to explore space. CHeers to Neil Armstrong whose name everytime a adult hears makes him remember his own childhood when he wanted to be a astronaut. Cheers to the rocket scientists who dream up of making something as big a s tall skyscraper blast off literally out of this world.